Devices, systems, and methods for a combination guidewire and tome shaft comprising three wires. The upper wire is manipulated to actively steer the shaft, while the lower wire creates a bowed region for cutting tissue. Insulating sheaths may cover the end of the shaft other than the bowed region of the lower wire. A voltage source allows electrification of the lower wire during cutting.

Medical devices and systems for treating a stricture, for example along the biliary and/or pancreatic tract, are disclosed. An example system may include a guidewire having a distal end and defining a lumen. A stiffening rod may be slidably disposed within the lumen. The stiffening rod may have a distal end and a distal end region disposed adjacent to the distal end. The stiffening rod may be configured to shift between a first position where the distal end of the stiffening rod is disposed proximally of the distal end of the guidewire and a second position where the distal end of the stiffening rod is disposed distally of the distal end of the guidewire.

A catheter system may be configured such that in response to the movement from a first position to a second position, a guidewire slider may push out on a catheter hub slider. The catheter hub slider is then removed from contact with a needle hub and may slide distally. The guidewire slider and the catheter hub slider may each include a tab to facilitate one-handed advancement. Another catheter system may be configured such that in response to movement of a guidewire slider from a proximal position to a distal position, a guidewire carriage uncouples from the guidewire slider. Further advancement of the guidewire slider may not advance the guidewire. Another catheter system may be configured such that in response to movement of a guidewire slider from a proximal position, the guidewire slider is configured to engage the safety housing and advance a catheter and a guidewire together.

A guide wire is disclosed for guiding a tubular elongated body to be inserted into a living body can include: an elongated shaft portion that has flexibility; a puncture portion that is disposed at a distal end portion of the shaft portion and forms a hole in a biological tissue; and a cover portion that is formed of a wire member wound in a spiral shape, has a contraction portion that is contractible, and covers the puncture portion. The contraction portion is capable of causing the puncture portion to protrude from the cover portion by contracting the contraction portion in a linear state. When the contraction portion is in a curved state, the contraction portion is restricted in contraction so that the puncture portion does not protrude from the cover portion by contact of adjacent wire members on a concave side.

Guide wire apparatuses and methods. Guide wires may be utilized for guiding a delivery apparatus, for example a transcatheter mitral valve delivery apparatus to replace a native mitral valve. A guide wire may include a core body having a length, and an outer layer having a length and extending around the core body and along the length of the core body. A guide wire may include an intermediate layer positioned between the core body and the outer layer and configured to be retracted relative to the core body and the outer layer along the length of the core body and the length of the outer layer.